Ban on Smoking on University Property Fails Vote

A bill banning smoking on all public university property in Illinois, including at outdoor locations such as tailgate parties, construction sites and farm fields, fell five votes short of passage Wednesday.

The measure, SB 2202, is sponsored by Sen. Terry Link, D-Waukegan, got only 25 of the 30 votes needed and was placed on "postponed consideration," meaning that it can be called a second time.

There were 23 votes against the measure. Although the roll call was not preserved, the Senate voting board showed that all East Central Illinois senators voted against the bill.

"I want to be perfectly clear here that if you go to tailgate at a football game you will not be able to smoke at you car, standing next to your cookout grill, is that correct?" Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, asked Link.